Overall Route Rating
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4.64 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.64
27 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Apr 30, 2008

Rider Reviews

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Guest
September 10, 2008
I drove this road in a Dodge minivan in the rain…
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Akumu
3916 McR Points
December 28, 2013
My favorite road once you get east of Mill Creek…
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Written Directions

This one is easy - Just take US 250 between Staunton, VA and Elkins, WV - easy to find on any map!

Scenery

On this road, you will ride up and over two large mountains and on both sides you will be treated to some panoramic vista views of the valley below. As you ride in the valleys you will see (at various times) some beautiful farm land as well as miles of thick forest as you hug the banks of various wide & rocky creek beds in certain sections. I understand that these large creeks serve as the headwaters for the Potomac and the James rivers.When I ran this section - I did it on a Saturday morning. I left Staunton at 6:45am and I had this road all to myself with literally NO traffic to get in my way - I highly recommend this approach to get the most out of this great road.. Road Quality: 3US 250 provides some very technically challenging switchbacks, tight corners, elevation changes etc. There are a few breaks in between the mountain ascents and decents - the valleys are a nice break. If you enjoy taking-on challenging roads - you will really love this one. The road quality varies from good to fair. Some sections are a bit rough, with heavy and uneven patchwork. There are no sections of this particular stretch of road that I would label as "poor". Roadside Amenities:: 4There are plenty of places to eat and things to do in Staunton and Elkins. In the middle of the route you will travel through the George Washington National Park and the Monongahela National Park. Both are spectacular forests with lots of picnic areas, hiking, scenic overlooks etc. Staunton is a much bigger town and has more to offer. Both are college towns.* Monterey,VA - near the middle of this route (at the intersection of US 250 and US 220) was labeled by Dale Coyner in his book Motorcycle Journeys Through the Appalachians as "the most rider friendly town" due to the number of local riding enthusiasts and their hospitality towards others with the same passion.

Drive Enjoyment

US 250 provides some very technically challenging switchbacks, tight corners, elevation changes etc. There are a few breaks in between the mountain ascents and decents - the valleys are a nice break. If you enjoy taking-on challenging roads - you will really love this one. The road quality varies from good to fair. Some sections are a bit rough, with heavy and uneven patchwork. There are no sections of this particular stretch of road that I would label as "poor".

Tourism Opportunities

There are plenty of places to eat and things to do in Staunton and Elkins. In the middle of the route you will travel through the George Washington National Park and the Monongahela National Park. Both are spectacular forests with lots of picnic areas, hiking, scenic overlooks etc. Staunton is a much bigger town and has more to offer. Both are college towns. * Monterey,VA - near the middle of this route (at the intersection of US 250 and US 220) was labeled by Dale Coyner in his book Motorcycle Journeys Through the Appalachians as "the most rider friendly town" due to the number of local riding enthusiasts and their hospitality towards others with the same passion.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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Neil Albaugh
July 26, 2021
9 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
I've driven this route many , many times over the years, beginning in the mid-60s. I worked at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank back then and frequently drove from there to Charlottesville, VA. This was Route 250 from Bartow through Staunton & Waynesboro to Charlottesville. The road is twisty through the mountains with very brief stretches of straight roads and lightly traveled. I drove my '65 Pontiac GTO (a Royal Bobcat equipped with 2 big aircraft landing lights) and timed myself between Bartow and Staunton. After reaching Staunton there is too much traffic to continue with elan. In the late '60s I regularly drove my Ferrari 250GTE over the same route and found that my times were significantly better than the Pontiac even though it had a smaller engine and over 100 BHP less power. It was simply a fun drive with the sound of its V12 echoing back through the mountains. A word of caution- in the Fall, leaves accumulate on the pavement and they are slippery, especially when they are wet. Also, beware of big logging or coal trucks as the opportunities for passing safely are limited.
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Neil Albaugh
July 26, 2021
9 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
I regularly drove between Green Bank and Charlottesville in the late '60s. Timed myself driving my '65 Pontiac GTO on US250 between Bartow and Staunton and later in my '63 Ferrari 250GTE. Pure fun hearing the sound of a V12 echoing back through the mountains. Route 33 is a nice drive, too.
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MR. CCH
October 12, 2021
15 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Absolutely the most fun ride I've ever had on a bike! Going through the G.W. Forest then down into Monterey. Then gas up and keep going up through the Monogahela Forest! AWESOME is all I can say!!
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